Perfect weather on April 6 made for a great first Blue Tom Fest at the University of Memphis, and due to the success organizers hope to continue the tradition every spring. More than 100 people were in attendance for the sunny skies, warm weather and good music for the outdoor event. It attracted students, faculty and residents of the University District. “I loved this event. Literally my friends and I were talking about sitting outside listening to music that day because it was so beautiful, then I remembered the festival” said Junior Journalism major, Christina Vanelli. Organizer, Trey Hamilton said it was everything he expected. “The crowd was diverse and the bands put on great shows.”

Before the tectonic plates within the Big East began to shift (mostly in totally opposite directions), first-year University of Memphis athletic director Tom Bowen had a plan. A large part of that plan is centered on a massive renovation to the Park Avenue campus in the University District, which is currently home to a majority of the U of M’s Olympic sports’ practice facilities. Late last year, Bowen released the 20-page plan that would ostensibly ensure such a development. He termed the call-to-action a “March to the East.” Among the more integral parts are goals to balance the department budget and increase annual giving from $8.7 million to $11 million in the 2014-15 fiscal year.

Businesses along the Walker and Highland strip are gearing up for MemFix on April 13. The plan for the businesses participating in the event is to support the neighborhood efforts to revitalize the strip and also generate customers to their businesses. Places like Headnapper’s Barbershop at 3566 Walker Ave, Juicy Jim’s Pizzeria at 551 S. Highland St., Mr.P’s Wings at 546 S. Highland Ave., and Lenny’s Sub Shop at 521 S. Highland St. are just a few places that will participate. Lenny’s parking lot will hold games and activities like Plinko, the most celebrated and enjoyed pricing game ever played on The Price is Right. Contestants will have an opportunity to win prizes such as free food and drinks, courtesy of Lenny’s. Christian Owen, UDistrict Memphis Editor, says the upcoming Walker-Highland development in the UDistrict has been building over the past few years. The University Neighborhoods Development Corporation board led the efforts with support from the University of Memphis and grass-roots efforts by neighborhood leaders.

"We have the lowest price on clothes and apparel," said Vera Stanfield, the manager at the Tiger Book Store.

The competition for textbook sales is increasing in the University District, and the Tiger Bookstore at 3533 Walker Ave. is trying to keep up. The Tiger Book Store has been in the U District since 1964. Each year the store owners try to make it easier for customers to purchase books and apparel in its store at reasonable prices. “We have the lowest price on clothes and apparel,” said Vera Stanfield, the manager at the Tiger Book Store. However, the Tiger Book Store has a lot of competition when it comes to books, especially from Textbook Brokers at 3566 Walker Ave. right across the street. Textbook Brokers is also a bookstore that sells college books. Textbook Brokers also buy used textbooks.

Tiger Book Store has a new policy that it will match any price on a textbook. If a customer shows the store a price cheaper at a different store, the store will match that price.

“It’s improved a lot. We didn’t have a lot of things like the Tiger Promotions, concessions and the Smart Card Club,” said Rashunda Burkings, an employee at the Tiger Book Store.

The Smart Card Club gives customers discounts on future purchases at the Tiger Book Store.

For instance, if customers purchase $25 or more on clothes and apparel they will receive $5 off their next purchase. If they spend $200 or more on books, they will receive $10 off their next purchase. If they spend $300 or more on books, they will receive $15 off their next purchase.

The Smart Card Club also gives customer $2 off when selling back books.

The Tiger Promotions lets customer design his or her own t-shirt. The customer can design anything; it does not have to deal with the U of M.

The store also operates a concessions stand at all U of M football games promoting the Tiger Book Store, where it sells merchandise from the store such as Tiger shirts and hats.

More than 300 animals will be available for adoption during this year’s Mega Adoptathon, which will be held at the Memphis and Shelby County Humane Society.

By Erica Hartsfield/MicroMemphis reporterResidents of the University District as well as others throughout the Memphis area have the opportunity to participate in the Memphis and Shelby County Humane Society’s Second Annual Mega Adoptathon at the shelter located at 935 Farm Road, Memphis.This 36-hour Adoptathon, sponsored by Hollywood Feed, starts today at 8 a.m. and continues through Saturday, April 6. Adoptions will range anywhere from free to $36. Other participants in the event include Blue Sky Dog Rescue and Memphis Animal Services. Katie Pemberton, a volunteer dog walker at the Humane Society, said that the Humane Society wanted to have a day where shelters and rescue centers could come out and contribute to this event, but what is most important is that the community is in attendance.

The latest in the expansion of development near the University of Memphis saw Southernwood Apartments demolished in April. Located at the corner of Southern Avenue and Houston Street, the lot where the apartments stood for a half century is planned to be replaced by a new apartment complex to accomodate the growing student population. No date has been set in stone on when the new apartment will begin to be constructed.

An event set for April 13 is designed to help residents of the University District envision what the future of the intersection of Highland and Walker could look like.The University Neighborhoods Development Corporation along with the University District Business Association, the University District Incorporated and the Mayor’s Innovation Team will host a MemFix event. The one-day event will last from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

MemFix events encourage new ways to think about streetscapes, activate vacant spaces in neighborhoods and encourage neighborhood growth. At this year’s event there will be some crosswalks temporarily installed at the Highland/Walker cross-section to make it more pedestrian friendly. Pop-up businesses will fill vacant storefronts. Music and activities for people of all ages will take place on the sidewalks of the University District.

The Dixon Gallery and Gardens is presenting some special exhibits for the spring and summer seasons that feature everything from a Shakespeare performance to a French jewelry exhibit. The Dixon at 4339 Park Ave. has a current exhibit “Present Tense: Art of Memphis from 2001-Now,” where works from University of Memphis alumni and Memphis College of Art graduates are featured on the walls of every corridor in the west wing of the museum.

Doug Hendrickson, manager and day-to-day operations handler, says the Internet cannot give you the experience of walking into nostalgic old stores like The Fun Shop.

At Halloween time each year, people flock to large chain stores, such as Party City, Party Works and The Halloween Store for décor and costumes to celebrate. But, after the holiday has passed, Halloween stores close up shop and year-round chains like Party City ready for the next holiday.

However, the fun of dressing up and getting gag gifts does not stop after October at The Fun Shop.

Located at 634 S. Highland St., The Fun Shop has long been selling and renting some of the most unique costumes one will come across in the Mid-South. Though costumes and pranks make up the largest percentage of the shop’s sells, one can find anything from wigs, shoes, hats, masks and makeup, to magic tricks, comic books, action figures, trading cards and DVDs.

“The shop is unique in that it is one of the oldest continuously operating local businesses in the Memphis area,” said manager and day-to-day operator Doug Hendrickson. “It has never closed its doors. Also, it is Memphis' only magic shop.”

Pauline Koplin, owner of Brother Juniper’s restaurant at 3519 Walker Ave. moved to Memphis with her family in 1999 to put the heartbeat back into the family business. She explains how renovations helped change the atmosphere to welcome the customers.